Universities hold joint conference on sustainable management of water resources

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

A conference on sustainable management of water resources within the Mt. Kenya zone was held from 13th to 14th September this year at Sportsman’s Arms Hotel – Nanyuki.

The conference was the first joint conference on water resources within the Mt. Kenya catchment zone organised by Kimathi University College of Technology, Chuka University College and Meru University College of Science and Technology.

The three University Colleges have signed an MOU with the objective of addressing water resource management in the region. The outcome of the workshop would form a basis in developing implementation proposals meant to address varied water issues within the Mt. Kenya region.

Among the topics discussed included: water resources management, policies on water resources, water and agriculture, climate change, hydrology of Mt. Kenya region and water quality assessment using biotic indicators.

The Kenya Vision 2030 on water and sanitation proposes to ensure that improved water and sanitation are available and accessible to all. Kenya is a water-scarce country with renewable fresh water per capita at only 647 m3 against the United Nations recommended minimum of 1,000 m3. This in turn affects every aspect of human life: health, agricultural yields, food security, technical development, and the economy.

Pollution of water resources is also common mainly due to lack of good societal infrastructure such as sanitation, garbage handling, adequate water pipes and treatment plants.

 In most parts of the country, droughts and floods have far reaching impacts on communities. Strategies for sustaining and distributing water resources therefore require inter alia inter-basin transfers, demand management, changes in land use and improved water resources management. The development of these strategies requires support in terms of sufficient data and predictive tools for water resources planning.